The Dumb Waiter, Hampstead Theatre, Planned: 3rd December to 2nd January 2021
Hampstead Theatre re-opens with the play that marked its inaugural season in 1960: Harold Pinter’s early classic of menace and mystery. Two hired killers argue the toss in a Birmingham basement while strange food orders crash down the hatch. A higher authority is at work but, like Beckett’s tramps in Waiting for Godot, these two are hamstrung by their pitiful destiny. Fresh air will be pumped into the auditorium at regular intervals across its 193 socially distanced seats.
Pantoland at the Palladium, London Palladium, Planned: 12th December to 3rd January 2021
Pantomime is a cornerstone of the devastated British theatre economy, but the Palladium raises a defiant flag with “a celebration of panto,” in the fifth successive year of gorgeously costumed extravaganzas directed by Michael Harrison. The outrageous Julian Clary opens a spangled treasure trove of panto highlights and specially devised new treats with magician Paul Zerdin, actors Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot, and rising stars Charlie Stemp, Beverley Knight and Jac Yarrow.
Pinocchio, Chichester Festival Theatre, Planned: 11th December to 2nd January 2021
Writer Anna Ledwich provides a new version of Carlo Collodi’s 1883 classic novel for the enterprising Chichester Festival Youth Theatre and young audiences from seven years upwards. What promises to be a fresh and colourful show is directed by Dale Rooks and designed by Simon Higlett. We follow the live-wire puppet hero as he encounters Punch and Judy, the wily Fox and a strange monster in the world beneath the sea.
